A case of avian influenza was detected in a goose at Athalassa Park, triggering a new alert for the Veterinary Services.
Avian influenza is a viral, contagious disease of birds caused by the influenza A virus. Healthy birds become infected either directly, through direct contact with infected or other sick birds, or indirectly through contaminated objects.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Ministry of Agriculture, in a statement, confirmed the case, urging citizens visiting the park to avoid approaching the birds, offering them food, or coming into close contact with them.
Meanwhile, the Veterinary Services are continuing laboratory tests in collaboration with the Community Reference Laboratory, to determine the pathogenicity of the virus that has been detected and have informed the European Commission and the World Organization for Animal Health.
Poultry farm owners are required to take all necessary measures to prevent contact between wild or migratory birds and their farmed poultry, as noted.
“Furthermore, we inform owners of domestic poultry that they must confine their birds to enclosed, covered areas to prevent direct and indirect contact with wild birds. This applies particularly to communities adjacent to wetlands. Furthermore, it is strictly prohibited to keep poultry outdoors, providing them with food and water outdoors, and the feeding or disposal of food in a manner that would encourage wild birds to feed on food left for domesticated birds. Furthermore, it is prohibited to provide poultry with water from surface water reservoirs to which wild birds have access.”
At the same time, it is reminded that any owner who observes increased morbidity and/or mortality among poultry that raises suspicion of a disease outbreak is required, under the Animal Health Laws, to immediately notify the District Veterinary Officer of the district in which they are located regarding the suspicion by calling the following telephone numbers, depending on the district:
Nicosia District Veterinary Office, tel: 22 805241
Larnaca District Veterinary Office, tel: 24 821275
Famagusta District Veterinary Office, tel: 24 824555
Limassol District Veterinary Office, Tel: 25 819512
